Friday, December 2, 2011

WEEKEND TRAINING RIDE INFORMATION (PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON RIDING WITH OUR TEAM):

TYPICAL RIDE LENGTHS ARE 2-4 HOURS AND BETWEEN 40-70 MILES. THE RIDE ROUTES VARY WEEK TO WEEK. RIDE PACE IS TYPICALLY 17-18 MPH (AVERAGE) DURING THE WINTER WITH AN INCREASE TO 19-20+ MPH (AVERAGE) AS THE RACING SEASON PICKS UP IN EARLY SPRING. THERE CAN ALSO BE SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE RIDE WHERE THE PACE PICKS UP SIGNIFICANTLY (25 MPH PLUS) FOLLOWED BY RECOVERY PERIODS. THUS, ONE CAN EXPECT (AND GET) A VERY HIGH QUALITY WORKOUT. THE GROUP DOES RECOGNIZE THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE AT DIFFERING STAGES IN DEVELOPING CYCLING FITNESS AND/OR GROUP RIDING SKILLS. THE GROUP HAS EASY TEMPO PERIODS WHERE RIDERS ARE ABLE TO REFORM INTO THE GROUP OR TIMES WHEN GROUP RIDING SKILLS ARE PRACTICED. EXPERIENCED RIDERS ARE ALSO HAPPY TO PROVIDE GROUP RIDING, RACING, AND TRAINING GUIDANCE. THE RIDES ARE USUALLY FOLLOWED BY A REHYDRATION AND “BIKE BULL” SESSION AT THE NEARBY CUTTERS POINT IN TACOMA OR SUSANNES COFFEE SHOP/DELI IN GIG HARBOR.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE OLD TOWN BICYCLE ROAD RACE TEAM TO PARTICIPATE AND ENJOY THE OTB SATURDAY/SUNDAY RIDES. IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON JOINING US PLEASE BE SURE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

1) IF IT'S WET HAVE FENDERS WITH A REAR MUD FLAP ON THE BIKE, 2) BE SURE YOUR BIKE IS IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION---WE RECOMMEND TIRE LINERS TO REDUCE FLATS, 3) BRING NECESSARY ENERGY BARS AND FLUIDS TO SEE YOU THROUGH THE RIDE, 4) BRING A SPARE TUBE(S), TIRE LEVERS, PUMP OR INFLATION DEVICE, 5) BRING ID AND MONEY (PLUS A CELL PHONE IS A GOOD IDEA), 6) DRESS FOR THE WEATHER---IF IT'S WET/COLD PLAN ON A TIGHT FITTING RAIN JACKET, BOOTIES, FULL GLOVES, AND TIGHTS. 6) NARROWS VELO NOW REQUIRES ALL OF OUR "GUESTS" TO SIGN A RIDE WAIVER/RELEASE FORM THAT CAN BE OBTAINED BY THE RIDE LEADER (IF WE DON'T HAVE A SIGNED WAIVER ON FILE, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE). 7) WE URGE YOU TO ADHERE TO THE RULES OF THE ROAD AND ENCOURAGE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RIDING. WE WANT TO HAVE FUN WHILE ON OUR TRAINING RIDES AND ADDITIONALLY “KEEP THE RUBBER ON THE ROAD”

THE "OPEN TRAINING" SEASON (MEANING OPEN TO ALL RIDERS) BEGINS SEPTEMBER 1ST AND ENDS ON DECEMBER 31ST. AFTER DECEMBER 31ST THE TEAM IS PREPARING FOR RACE SEASON AND WORKING ON DRILLS, TACTICS, AND TEAMWORK AND WILL NOT BE HAVING "OPEN RIDES" UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1ST ROLLS AROUND.

Weekend Training Ride Information (Please read if you are planning on riding with our team):

Typical ride lengths are 3-4 Hours and between 40-70 miles. The ride routes vary week to week. Ride pace is typically 17-18 mph (average) during the winter with an increase to 19-20+ mph (average) as the racing season picks up in early spring. There can also be several times during the ride where the pace picks up significantly (25 mph plus) followed by recovery periods. Thus, one can expect (and get) a very high quality workout. The group does recognize that different people are at differing stages in developing cycling fitness and/or group riding skills. The group has easy tempo periods where riders are able to reform into the group or times when group riding skills are practiced. Experienced riders are also happy to provide group riding, racing, and training guidance. The rides are usually followed by a rehydration and “bike bull” session at the nearby Cutters Point in Tacoma or Susannes coffee shop/deli in Gig Harbor.

You do not need to be a member of the Old Town Bicycle Road Race Team to participate and enjoy the OTB Saturday/Sunday rides. If you are planning on joining us please be sure to do the following:

1) If it's wet have fenders with a rear mud flap on the bike, 2) be sure your bike is in good mechanical condition---we recommend tire liners to reduce flats, 3) bring necessary energy bars and fluids to see you through the ride, 4) bring a spare tube(s), tire levers, pump or inflation device, 5) bring ID and money (plus a cell phone is a good idea), 6) dress for the weather---if it's wet/cold plan on a tight fitting rain jacket, booties, full gloves, and tights.6) Narrows Velo now requires all of our "guests" to sign a ride waiver/release form that can be obtained by the ride leader (if we don't have a signed waiver on file, you will not be able to participate).7) We urge you to adhere to the rules of the road and encourage safe and responsible riding. We want to have fun while on our training rides and additionally “keep the rubber on the road”

The "Open Training" season (meaning open to all riders) begins September 1st and ends on December 31st. After December 31st the team is preparing for race season and working on drills, tactics, and teamwork and will not be having "open rides" until September 1st rolls around.